Alec and clothes

I've written before about clothes-shopping with Alec.  He loves it but is a bit difficult.  Here's a new twist - he doesn't actually wear the stuff he buys.

McKayla and I took him shopping last week.  He bought a new shirt.  We can't talk him into wearing it although he has proudly shown it to everyone who has come to the house.  It dawned on me that the "Free Willy outfit" we spent so much time shopping for has only been worn once.  So, I've tried getting him to wear that one.  No dice.

He also bought a swimsuit last week.  It will be interesting to see if we can get him to wear that the next time we head to Seven Peaks.

Special Olympics

Last Saturday Alec bowled in Special Olympics. He brought home a silver medal and best of all - he had a great time!(Alec is 3rd from the right with his arm around a girl, of course)

a hard job?

Alec tends to sleep everywhere but on his bed. His bed of preference seems to be the floor. We bought him a new mattress and box springs over the weekend. He didn't really get a chance to sleep on it since Brakston and Whitney were here and they used Alec's bed. So, last night was his first chance to sleep on his new bed. Where did we find him this morning? On the floor! I asked him if we need to go buy new sheets so he'll sleep on his bed. What would it take for him to sleep on his bed?

His answer? "I'm working on it, Mother. I'm working on it!"

silly boy

the big reveal

Life with Alec is so very entertaining!

He came upstairs last night and announced he'd cleaned his room and he wanted us all to come see. Kevin went down immedicately (I was loading the dishwasher...). Alec wouldn't let Kevin in because he wanted the entire family there at once.

So, we gathered everyone outside Alec's door. He made us all close our eyes before entering his bedroom. Then with a big TA-DA he told us we could open our eyes.

All of us were double over laughing but we made sure to ooh and aah over his clean room.


now if only my girls got that excited about a clean room....

Alec-isms

Alec really made me laugh on Friday! He can be so dang funny sometimes.

We were on our way home from summer seminary and Alec, McKayla, and our neighbor Kenzi were in the car with me.

McKayla said, "Alec, you're so cute." Alec said, "I know. And I'm funny too."

That made us all laugh.

Then he started rythymically saying, "bum, bum, de, bum, bum" over and over. It was grating on my nerves a bit so I asked, "Alec, what are you doing?"

He said, "I'm going bum, bum, de, bum, bum".

Oh man, I laughed so hard I almost cried. I guess that's what I get for asking a stupid question.

TOO HELPFUL

Yes, I know, some people have REAL problems. I have no room to complain. Still, Alec was a bit TOO helpful yesterday.

He was awake before I left for the temple at 4 am. Apparently, he decided to put his wakefulness to good use. He washed my whites (even though there was only 1 top, 1 bottom, and 4 socks). Of course, the water was set to cold and the load was set to extra large but whatever.... I'll give him points for trying.

I got home from the temple and noticed that both the garbage can and the recycling can were out. Alec being "helpful" again. It's just that this is not recycling week so I drug that can back to the garage where luckily I noticed that Alec had thrown away my fairly new laptop case. Aargh!

A little later I go to grab the bill for Alec's graduation cap and gown because the good people from Josten's are over at the school to finish collecting final payments. No bill anywhere. That's when I realize that my "paperwork-to-do" stack is significantly smaller than the previous night. Another trip out to the recycling bin confirms my suspicion that Alec has been "cleaning". Lots of important paperwork had been trashed. So, I dig it all out.

That evening I rummage through the now-disheveled paperwork to find Shanley's Oakcrest Camp registration form so we can turn it in. It's missing. Another trip out to the recycling bin confirms that did not overlook that form in my initial "dumpster dive". So, Shanley and I go through Alec's backpack, Alec's room, the kitchen, the living room, and so on. Finally, we find it carefully filed away in a kitchen drawer.

I just don't know how much more "help" I can possibly take!

Alec's birthday

My sweet boy is 18 today! I still remember his birth so clearly. He was the easiest child to give birth to - I swear he just slipped out. He never made me sick during the pregnancy. He had the most gorgeous complexion and coloring even right after birth.

Then within an hour of his birth Kevin and I got the news that changed our lives - "your son has Down syndrome." Who could have predicted where that road has taken us?

Also, the sad news that he had pneumonia and had to stay in the hospital for 8 days. I couldn't take my baby home for Christmas.

The joys of having him roll over, sit up, and even walk ahead of predictions. The sorrows of teachers who couldn't find anything nice to say about him. The frustrations of being unable to keep track of Alec as he escaped the house and "ran away" time after time after time. The smiles he brings with his frequent hugs. The shock of being told he also has autism. The kindness of his classmates as they've asked him to dances, elected him Homecoming King, taken him to ball games, etc. The acceptance of Alec and his limitations by his siblings and their patience with him. The laughs at the funny things he says and does (writing Ashton Kutcher on the name line on his schoolwork). The weirdness of now having to go to court (against you) to petition for guardianship.

The emotions I experience in dealing with you have somehow seemed magnified - the joys are greater and the sorrows deeper. Life is never dull with you around. At times, I've thought you should count as 5 kids all by yourself. I've learned so much from you and been stretched beyond what I thought I'd be able to handle.

Alec, you are a blessing to have as a child and you bring joy to all who know you! Happy Birthday!

when $100 actually equals $131

Alec recently took $100 from my purse. He probably put it in his wallet but then he lost his wallet (or it was stolen). Ouch! I can't really afford to lose $100.

Unfortunately, in this case, I'm not just out the $100. It cost me $5 for Alec's new school ID. It cost me another $18 for Alec's new State ID card. Then it cost me another $8 for a new wallet for Alec.

Thus, in a math phenomenon, $100 = $131. (If only that conversion rate worked in my favor!)

Rapid City silliness

What do you get when you mix a relaxing vacation with two teens and a couple of blue coconut slushes from Sonic?

milk it for all it's worth

I am laughing because Alec is still capitalizing on being the Homecoming King.

Last weekend he was getting ready to go to the Taylorsville-Riverton football game. I gave Alec some money to pay for the game but he wouldn't take it. He said he didn't need it. I told him he had to pay for the game because it was at Taylorsville. His reponse? "No, Mom. I don't have to pay. I'm the king."

How do you argue with that?

He's the KING!

You'd have thought I'd have been all cried out. When I got the call yesterday morning that, based on the voting, Alec was part of Riverton's Homecoming court, I hung up the phone and cried. (They were happy tears.)

I had the privilege of escorting Alec out onto the football field amidst the students' chants of "Alec. Alec. Alec." Sure enough, when they announced that he was the 2010 Homecoming King, all I heard was a pretty deafening cheer from the students. That overwhelming love and support re-started those darn tears! I ended up on the stand in front of hundreds of students (and parents) bawling my eyes out.

All I could think was that when they told me (a few hours after his birth) that Alec had Down syndrome I cried. I cried because I worried that he wouldn't have any friends, and that kids would be mean to him and make fun of him. Never, in my wildest dreams did I EVER imagine that I would one day stand and watch Alec be crowned high school Homecoming King in front of his peers who were cheering insanely loudly for him.


The tears are still coming. Maybe they'll never stop.

And, Alec, you'll always be a King in my book!

Homecoming assembly

RHS held its Homecoming assembly on Tuesday morning. They introduced the top 6 nominees each for Homecoming King and Queen using a little skit. The boy came to the front door to pick up his date and his baby picture and a current picture were flashed up on the screen.
The boy was invited into the living room and was interviewed by the "parents". They asked questions like "What is your best memory of Riverton High?" "What does it mean to you to be a Silverwolf?" and then a goofy questions like "Which teacher would you ask to Homecoming?" or "What is your favorite breakfast?" Alec answered mostly with references to sporting events.

Then they went to dinner where the boys were handed menus with questions to ask the girls (pretty similar to the boys' questions).


Afterwards, the couples went to the dance. They danced while a couple of guys sang "Home".

The skit was fairly fun and Alec LOVED being center stage!!!! especially with a cute girl!!!!

They ran the assembly twice in order to get all of the student body so I ran and checked McKayla and Shanley out of school so they could watch the 2nd one. I decided that it's not very often you get to see your brother nominated for Homecoming King.

Alec is so very excited about the whole thing!

asked and answered

With Alec's nomination as Homecoming King, it meant I had the stress of finding just the right "someone" for a dance date. I tossed around the idea of asking a darling girl in our ward whom Alec has been telling me is his girlfriend. I finally decided to do it.

McKayla and I made a poster that said:
Tickets (play money attached)
Dinner (play money attached)
New shirt and tie (play money attached)
Homecoming with you ...PRICELESS!

Will you please go to Homecoming with me?

Alec took the poster, a bouquet of flowers, and a Toblerone bar to her door.

Krysta, delightful girl that she is, immediately called to tell me how thrilled she was (told you she's a sweetheart). Here's her answer: (the Laffy Taffy got eaten before I got the picture taken).

Another stress - how to get him to the dance - was solved when Jacob invited Alec to be part of his group. Now, there's a group and drivers and a date and everything. Does Alec go to the VERY BEST high school ever or what?

Alec's at it again!

Yes, that is exactly what it looks like - a campout not on the front lawn but on the red paving bricks! Silly Alec! I've blogged before about the weird places Alec finds to sleep but this one may take the cake. He originally set up a little teepee but the wind kept blowing it over. He has spent the last couple of nights out here. Yes, he even has some "bags" with some clothes in them.


I'm not sure how long I'll be able to stand having him sleep out there (or how long it will be before the neighbors turn me in). I guess I didn't take him camping enough this summer.

Homecoming royalty???

Well, that's yet to be seen but Alec has been nominated for the Riverton High Homecoming Royalty. That is pretty exciting news!

I called my mom to tell her and mentioned that Alec is like "Oh, wow, that's cool." and then he's just back to singing and talking to imaginary people. I told my mom, "He just doesn't get it." My mom said it's more exciting for the parents.

I thought about it and decided that is true. Maybe it is my validation that I didn't have a completely unloveable child. I definitely have had time to question that over the years. There is the heartbreak of Alec never getting invited to birthday parties in elementary school. There is all the years of Alec never being invited to anyone's home for a "play-date". There is the middle school suspensions (don't ask!). There is countless meetings with teachers where they tell you everything your child is doing wrong and everything they can't do while you just beg them to tell you ONE thing they like about your child.

So, I guess when a student body officer calls you on Friday morning to tell you your child is not only nominated for Homecoming Royalty but also received the most votes, it is okay for you to sit back and enjoy it for a moment.

(And then feel badly for all the parents who never get this kind of validation.)

Alec's great week continues

Wow! Could Alec possibly have had a better week last week? I think not!

Besides the "Social Hero" award and the medal he earned at Special Olympics, Alec received one more award.

He was unable to attend the Track Banquet because he was at BYU participating in Special Olympics. However, on Sunday one of the girls on the team brought Alec this:


Yep, the track team awarded him with an honorary Varsity Letter. Alec just beamed when he saw it! I don't think he understands what it is but he is thrilled anyway. He knows it is some award and it has the "R" and the Silverwolf on it and so he's sure it is really cool!


On a side note, I guess now it is officially okay for Alec to wear Brakston's letter jacket. (He wears it anyway)

medal winner

Yesterday was the Unified Sports Soccer tournament. This is a segment of the Special Olympics. Riverton High hosted two teams made up of Special Olympic athletes and peer tutors. The peer tutors from RHS are all members of the high school soccer team.
Front row: Marie Butterfield and Kenny Marse
Second row: Savannah, Chonda, Alec, ?, Eldy Arambula
Back row: Alicia Bowen, Greg Dudley, Carson Broadhead, Mitchell, Austin Cook, Tanner, Paul, Ashley Cornia, Will Christensen, Rob White, Cameron White

RHS fielded an A team and a B team. Alec played for the A team but was a little slow. By the time he saw the ball and his mind processed that he should kick it someone else had usually got there and taken it away. He still managed to score twice though - I guess that proves that slow and steady wins the race! You can see here that he's a bit perplexed about that ball moving so fast!


He still found plenty to cheer about though - like when he scored!

Alec kept everyone entertained during half-times with his rendition of the Haka!

The A-Team:

Back home with his medal:

blessing

Today was an incredible blessing in MY life - Alec received his Patriarchal Blessing.

Without saying anything inappropriate or sharing too much information, let me just say that it was an intensely spiritual experience for me and answered a question or two for me as well.


I will also say once more how grateful I am for a Heavenly Father who provides inspiration. Several weeks ago I was sitting in Stake Conference when I really felt prompted that it was time for Alec to have his Patriarchal Blessing. It seemed to be further confirmation of this when only a few minutes later the Stake President announced that they were placing the previous Patriarch on emeritus/inactive status and sustaining a new one. Conferring with Kevin after the meeting, he too had felt prompted that Alec should get his blessing.

This happened to us when Alec was 14 and we both felt prompted that it was time for him to receive the Priesthood. It happened to us when Alec was 11 and we both felt prompted that it was time for him to be baptized.

I am so grateful for a Heavenly Father who does not leave me on my own to figure things out, for a loving God who doesn't make me second guess my decisions but who guides and directs me in parenting such a special child!

NO driving!

Conversation today while we were doing the 2-hour drive home from McKayla's soccer game:

Alec: Dad, can I drive?

Dad: No.

Alec: Why?

Dad: Well, let's see. What do you do when you see a red light?

Alec: Go left, go right, go left.

Dad: And that is why you can't drive!

old dogs and new tricks

Last night was Alec's first high school track meet. He had an absolute blast!

He ran the 100m and the 800m. I know. One's a sprint and one's a distance run - what IS he doing?

The answer is "pretty much whatever he wants."

Here he is (in the back on the left wearing a purple tee and warm-ups) starting his 800m. Here he is finishing his 800m. Gotta love his form! He is all about technique. lol

I love that no matter how long it takes him to run and regardless of the fact that he finished a good 200m behind the last runner, he thinks he won! He comes across the finish line giving it all he's got and getting cheered by EVERYONE in attendance, and he thinks he is king of the world! Yes, he even came home and told Kevin that he'd won!

I spent the entire evening (all 4 1/2 hours hours worth) being a timer for lane 2. I have never done that before (thus the new trick title) but found it was fairly simple. (1) Use your index finger not your thumb to start and stop the watch. (2) Start with the smoke from the gun and not the sound. Got it. I did get some time off (for good behavior, of course) from stopwatch duty during the distance races when I had the all-important (snicker, snicker) job of holding the tape for the runner's chute so we could keep the runners in the order of their finish.

I think I managed to complete my duties without screwing up so I guess it was a successful evening for Alec and me!